Advisory Councils

Real change is led by the community: that’s one of MAF’s core beliefs. And that’s why we convene councils of community members—clients, nonprofit partners, tech professionals, and funders—to help shape our vision and take our work to the next level.

MEET THE SUPERHEROES

Member Advisory Council (MAC)

Council members are participants in our programs who have established credit, paid off debt, built savings, and achieved dreams. MAC provides insight into the client experience, advises on design of new programs, and helps shape our strategic goals.

Alma Fernandez - Lending Circles

Patricia Fuentes - Lending Circles

Reina Aguilera Barahona - Lending Circles for Business

Shweta Kohli - Lending Circles

Co-chair: Joanna Cortez Hernandez, MAF

Partner Advisory Council (PAC)

These seasoned nonprofit staff represent our nationwide network of Lending Circles partners. They provide insight on the partner and client experience, feedback on services, and strengthens the impact of our national programs.

Frank Curiel, LIFT - LA (Los Angeles, CA)

David Soto, CLUES (Minneapolis, MN)

Mariana Silva, Brown Boi Project (Oakland, CA)

Rob LaJoie, Peninsula Family Service (San Mateo, CA)

Wandy Peguero, Family Independence Initiative (Boston, MA)

Co-chair: Natalie Zayas, Center for Changing Lives (Chicago, IL)

Tech Advisory Council (TAC)

Consists of members who are talented technology professionals from companies across the country. Their expertise ranges from technology design to creating products for low-income consumers. They inform MAF’s strategic decisions to help build intuitive technology that meets client needs.

Alexander Chen, Carta

Argin Wong, Rubrik

Chelsea Otakan, Stripe

Chris Ferrer, BlackRock

Gabriela Zamudio, Independent Software Developer/Consultant

Gayla Burks, Civic Technologies

Guru Murthy, Processware

Javier Mendezona, Google

Jesse Obbink, AutoFi

Ling Wu, Box

Meg Witmer, Stripe

Nikhil Goel, Uber

Sagar Shah, Salesforce

Stephan Waldstrom, RPX Corporation

Stephanie Lewis, Tipping Point Community

Venkatesh Malepate, Google

Co-Chair: Kathryn Weinnman, Norwest Venture Partners

Co-Chair: Ramya Gopal, MAF

Adelante Advisory Council (AAC)

A dynamic group of Bay Area professionals who bring their talents and expertise to move MAF’s mission forward (“adelante”). These members play a key role in building awareness and cultivating financial support for MAF.